(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Festivals in Cherai)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Cherai
Temple Festival : CheraiGowreeswara
temple is Important pilgrimage centre in Kerala also known
as South Pazhani, built in 1912. Gowreeswara temple is dedicated
to Lord Muruka. The idle was installed by Sree Narayana Guru.
To see Cherai at her best come with the festival. The trumpeting
of more than 30 elephants and the magical sound of "Panchavaadya"
and the spectacular view of celebratory fireworks. In a magnificent
display of grandeur, 30 caparisoned elephants come together
here during this temple festival .The Thalapokkamalsaram (head
lifting ) competition is the main attraction of this festival.Kadakali,ottanthullal
and other art forms are performed on the festival days eve.

Cherai
Chariot Festival ( Ratholsav ) : The exquisite temple
was constructed in A.D1869. Azheekkal Sree Varaha Venkateswara
Temple is the only "Sampoornakshetra" in South India. This
is the only temple in India where both the deities of Sree
Varaha and Sree Venkateswara are installed side by side and
worshiped as single moorthy (God).The famous temple "Ratha"
(Chariot) is a rarity in temple architecture. This is the
only chariot in the world, which runs on the rail. The festival
takes place twice in a year. The chariot is pulled by devotees
around the temple to the accompaniment of drum beatsThe Varaha
temple was established in the sixteenth century and it is
one of the most ancient GSB temples in Kerala. It has a roofed
pathway around the temple with granite pillars, which is something
I haven’t seen in any other GSB temple in Kerala.

There are several ancient and beautiful carvings on the
wooden roofs of the mandapam in front of the temple. The
gaari (a kind of vada) nivedya at the temple is very famous
and delicious too .The famous temple "Ratha" (Chariot) is a rarity in temple
architecture. This is the only chariot in the world, which
runs on the rail. The festival take place twice in a year.
The chariot is pulled by devotees around the temple with
huge drum beats.

Pallipuram
Church Festival: Cherai cultural life would be incomplete
without the festival at Pallipuram church, which takes place
for 15 days. It is on the month of August.It is a wonderful
mix of town and village; a combination of city fashion and
age-old traditions reminiscent of English country fairs. The
real passion of the festival becomes apparent on the final
day when exhibitors sell their faded wares and like all time-honoured
institutions, evokes emotions, with everyone taking home cherished
memories of the day.

Cherai beach tourism Mela:

The Cherayi
mela, the first beach carnival in Kerala held to promote beach
tourism and to cash in on the tourism potential of the State's
seashore, is being organised by the Pallipuram grama panchayat
of the Vypeen island.This
year's mela presents an exciting variety of programmes on
all the seven days.On the opening day, there is an extensive
Chenda melam by about 50 artistes.